Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast
Join Penny Sansevieri and Amy Cornell for fun and frank discussions packed with clever ideas, easy-to-implement book marketing strategies, and critical publishing industry knowledge and insight! Designed to help self-published authors and traditionally published authors at any level, the Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast will definitely inspire you with new ideas for how to sell books, grow your platform, and make strategic business decisions as an author. Subscribe today and take that next step toward a more successful, long-term book marketing plan!
Episodes
268 episodes
Amazon News: How to Navigate Amazon's Inconsistent Ad Guidelines
Ever feel like you're banging your head against a wall trying to get your Amazon ads approved? You're not alone. When a mystery thriller author's cover featuring a bloody knife was rejected because it looked "too menacing" and appeared to be "p...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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9:23
The Strategic Author's Guide to Amazon's Kindle Unlimited Program
Demystifying Kindle Unlimited might be one of the most requested topics from our podcast audience—and for good reason. The confusion between Amazon's KDP platform and the Kindle Unlimited subscription service continues to trip up both new and e...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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26:15
Starting Your Own Publishing Company: Myth vs. Reality
Should you start your own publishing company? Word seems to be getting around in author circles that this may be the key to unlocking greater credibility, bookstore access, or even “jumping the line” beyond the self-published category.
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Season 5
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Episode 11
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17:42
Savvy Book Pricing Strategies That Sell
Pricing your book isn’t just a numbers game—it’s a strategy that can make or break your success on Amazon. In this episode, we’re busting the biggest pricing myths, like whether your eBook really needs to be $0.99 or free to gain tract...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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23:17
Amazon News: Author Central Changes and Search Result Trends
Amazon Author Central just made a quiet but significant change—no more URLs in author bios. What does this mean for your author platform, and how can you make sure your website still gets traffic? We break down why keeping your bio fresh matter...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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17:44
The Sneaky Ways Authors Sabotage Their Own Success
Success as an author isn’t just about writing a great book—it’s about making smart marketing and business decisions. But what if you’re unknowingly getting in your own way? In this eye-opening episode, we’re unpacking the sneaky ways authors sa...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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53:14
Don't Give Up on Your Book: When to Push and How to Pivot
Every author hits a point where they wonder: Should I just give up? If your book isn’t selling, your marketing efforts feel like a dead end, and hope seems lost—don’t throw in the towel just yet. In this episode, we’re digging into the...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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31:46
Book Marketing Costs: Solid Investment or Waste of Money?
An investment in book marketing and publicity is an investment in all the hard work you've poured into your book. But why is book marketing so expensive? And are those cheaper, one-off services really worth it? In this episode, we're breaking d...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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31:13
How to Get Your Author Website to Rank on Google
We spend a lot of time talking about Amazon (and that matters) but when was the last time you searched for your name or book on Google? Did your website show up? Or is your author website getting lost in the vast expanse of the internet? While ...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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38:56
Why Your Book Isn’t Showing Up in Amazon Searches and How to Fix It
Ever gotten on Amazon to search for your book and—BAM—nothing? If your title isn’t appearing for search terms you think should be working, you’re not alone. In this eye-opening episode, we’re lifting the curtain on Amazon’s elusive algorithm to...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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37:25
How to Resurrect a Book That's Dead in the Water
Is your book lost in a sea of titles on Amazon? If you feel like your title is dead in the water, you’re not alone. In this episode we’re digging into the horror of feeling rudderless on Amazon—why it happens and, most importantly, how to fix i...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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31:04
Cracking the Library Code: Get on Shelves and in Front of Readers
Dreaming of seeing your book featured in libraries—and even appearing there in person to meet eager readers? This episode is for you! We’re unlocking the secrets to getting your title onto library shelves, plus sharing insider tips on securing ...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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18:29
Mastering the Mic: Tips for Becoming an Irresistible Podcast Guest
Everyone wants to guest on podcasts these days—but landing the spot is just the beginning. In this episode, we’re going beyond pitching and diving into the art of being a truly unforgettable podcast guest. Discover how to prep effectively, calm...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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14:15
Substack Success: Should Authors Add This Platform to Their Toolkit?
In a crowded digital landscape, authors are always on the hunt for new ways to reach readers. Substack has risen as a newsletter platform that promises creative freedom and direct audience connection—but is it right for you? In this episode, we...
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Season 4
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Episode 52
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23:28
Your New Year Checklist: A Roadmap to Success
It’s almost time to flip the calendar and embrace a brand-new year—and with it comes the perfect opportunity to refresh, reset, and reinvigorate your author brand. In this episode, we’re sharing a step-by-step checklist to help you usher in the...
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Season 4
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Episode 51
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39:45
Unlocking Amazon Success: Optimization to Boost Your Visibility
Ready to supercharge your book’s visibility on Amazon? In this episode, we’re revealing some of the best-kept secrets for optimizing your Amazon retail page to drive traffic and boost sales—just in time for the holiday shopping season! From ins...
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Season 4
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Episode 50
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25:05
Secrets to Writing Books Readers Can’t Resist
What’s the secret to writing a book readers can’t wait to pick up? In this episode, we’re uncovering the overlooked strategies that make a book not only fit its market but also compel readers to buy. From crafting the perfect book idea to align...
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Season 4
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Episode 49
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25:33
Exciting Announcement: Our New Mentorship Program Is Here!
We’ve got something truly special for you in this episode and we're launching it on Small Business Saturday! We've just launched a program created by and for *you*, our amazing listeners! After four years of incredible questions, f...
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Season 4
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7:52
Top Book Marketing Questions of the Year: Insights, Trends, and Expert Advice
We’re closing out the year with a bang in this special episode where Amy and Penny answer some of the best book marketing questions we’ve received all year! From “How many books do I need to write to be successful?” to predictions for next year...
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Season 4
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Episode 48
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56:39
Rookie Mistakes: Avoid Costly Errors and Show Up Like a Pro
In this unabashedly honest episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the rookie mistakes that can make authors look like amateurs—and even open them up to being taken advantage of. From networking missteps to pitching for reviews or media cons...
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Season 4
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Episode 47
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37:50
Scams, Hacks, and Red Flags: How to Protect Yourself
It seems like now, more than ever, scammers and hacks are everywhere. Penny can't go a week without someone offering to "turn her book into a movie" and if you've listened for a while, you know how we feel about that! In today’s world o...
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Season 4
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Episode 46
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25:49
Goodreads Author Program Update: What You Need to Know
Like Amazon, Goodreads is cracking down on spam and bot author accounts, many of which are producing subpar AI generated content — but protecting the platform means adding a stricter vetting process before authors get to network with readers. I...
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Season 4
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Episode 45
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20:16
Bonus Episode! Amazon Delays: What to Do When Your Book Launch Hits a KDP Roadblock
We thought we'd drop in with another urgent Amazon PSA! Amazon delays can be a nightmare for authors, especially when everything is set for a carefully planned launch day, and your book still hasn’t gone live. Recently, Amazon’s Ki...
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Season 4
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16:14
How to Compete for Media Attention
Struggling to get media attention for your book? You’re not alone. In today’s ever-changing media landscape, landing interviews and features has become more difficult than ever. In this episode, we dig into the reasons why it’s so hard to get a...
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Season 4
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Episode 44
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22:30
Let's See if You're Ready for an Audiobook
Audiobooks are all the rage, but are you truly ready to dive in? In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of the audiobook world, revealing why it’s not as simple as it seems. Yes, thanks to AI it’s easier (and cheaper) than ever to creat...
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Season 4
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Episode 43
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18:23